Meteorological recording method and apparatus



Oct. 8, 1946." CHUNG-CHIN KAO 2,408,780

' METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Cywva- CV/m/ K40 Oct. 8, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO 2,408,780

METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aprii 5, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. CHU/VG- C/w/v K40 r4 7 TO/P/Vf Y Oct. 8, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN mov 2,408,730

METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet s iiiiiiiifia v INVENTOR. CHU/VG- C/w/v K40 v BY ATTOP/VE Y Oct. 8, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO A 2,403,780

KETEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 HUNDREDS a 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 IN VEAV TOR. C/w/vc; C/w/v A20 1 H RRLU. v g

Oct. 8, 1946.- CHUNG-CHIN .KAO

METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 llllllllllll Illllllllllll --NK')V QOI COO ON MQ'JINOFQO! IN VEN TOR. (auzvs- C/w/v K4 ,Oct. 8, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO 2,408,789v

METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 v INVEVTOR; I U/U/VG- C/w/v A20 7 ,BY v

" .ATTOIP/VEV Oct. 8, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO 2,408,730

METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet '7 mcmfimw mwmiem B WLM AM P E ZWAM. 9W mEwJm MTM W W M W RE msmxmzmvm INVENTOR.

CHUNG-CW/V A740 Oct. 8, 1946. CHUNG-CHIN KAO 2,403,780

7 METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS I Filed April 5, 1944 10 Shets-Sheet 8 INDEX A"2 WEATHER A-2 HAZE v 1 CLOUDS 8-4 -3 COVERED WIND VELO VISI- WIND DIRECTION TY MPH. N. NE. E

Cl BILITY SE. 5; sw. w. NW. 1-7 NORMAL m I15 I19 I83 I87 |9| n95 I99 2- 8-l8 n2 l76'l80 I64 I88 I92 I96 200 3 |93| n 113 m |8I I85 I89l93 191 201 4 32-33 I14 I13 n02 I86 I90 I94 I96 202 [-1 POOR 203201 am 25219 223 221 am 2 a|s 204200 2|2 216 220 224 220 232 3 l9-3l- 205 an 211 22: 225 229 233 4 32-30 I 206 210 214 2:3 222 226230 234 I-'7 *DRMAL 235 239 243 247'25I 255 259 263 8-]8 236 240 244 248 252 256260 264 v 3 I9-3I 237 24I 245 249 253 257 26I 265 4 32-38 I 23 242 246 250 254 258 262 266 I 8-I8 POOR 267 27| '275 279 283 287 I 298 2 I9-3I 268 272 276 280 284 288 2 2 29 3 32-38 269 273 277 28I 285 289 293 297 4 39-46 270 274 278 282 28% 294 298 EXAMPLE OF WEATHER REPORT MESSAGE STATION NO. AC-B-H TIME 2:30 PM- WEATHER CONDITION=- I. RAINING I 7 ATMOSPHERE PRESSURE- 3| 2.CLOUDS= 8. MOVEMENT OF BAROMETER DURING -CUMULUS PAST THREE HOURS= !-ALL COVERED LOW AND- FALLING RAPIDLY 3.WIND DIRECTION- E-NE. 9.TEMPERATURE- 46.75 F

4. WIND VELOCITY= IO..HUMIDITY- 55 25-3l MPH. ll. RAIN GAGE O.l4 INCHES 5. CEILINGr-ZOOO FT. I2.TIME 2=3O 6. VISIBILITY 5 MILE I IN VEN TOR. CHUNG /v M0 ATTOP/Vf Y 0gb. 8, v 1946; CHUNG-CHIN, KAO- I 2,403,789

METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 5, 194-4 10 Sheets-Sheet TRANSMITTING CODE 4 PERFORATED TAPE 7 oo7n OOQn 00m 04m OOin 0:41, 8051: 8241: 8627! @3871 880w 888n 89871 93v 9081? 938119477 9B7! 92m 9l271 960T slaw 96611 9l8r Qlln 917+ 99311 02211 01% INVENTOR. CHUNG CH/A/ A140 HTTU/P/Vf Y Oct. 8, 1946. CHUNG-CHlN KAo METEOROLOGICAL RECORDING METHdD AND APPARATUS l0 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed April 5, 1944 Q AQHQ i INVENTOR. CHu/va C////V /(/20 A TTOP/VEY transmission line time'is efie'eted.

machine for t ransla'tingnumeric dlla into other pri I I ample as weather data;

Patented Oct. 8, 1946 UNITED.

PA ENT] OFFICE.

I I AND APPARATUS Ghung-Chin Kao, New York, N. Y. Application April 5, ls laserla Ne. szaeee II I invention relates to recordingIdevices and more particularlyto improved methods" and-'de-j I 18 Claims. (Cl. 178-34) vices for recordingeither' locally or at a distance; I

meteorologicaldata and inforr'nation.-

v A principal object of the invention is to provide' a' keyboard controlled machine for printing specially coded composite characters represent: groups of meteorological information arid th'e li e."

Another principal object" relates tofa p intin 0 machine", for printing directlyat' eaeli print impression; a compositecharacter' rebr'esenting? groups of meteorolo ical data. II I Another principal object relatesto a n'rintirlg machine having largell'umberei typefaces each 1'5 renresenting code eo-mbinaticns of 'ec'lrological data, together with seleeti'vemechanisins fer presenting'any desired one of thetyfie' races to a firinting izoint'. I V v Another principal met I of tele-trans nlssl'en id efiro-duction of meteor ological data Whe a considerable s'avi-lfg in d inte ll gence; such fer ex I I navi'gationaldate'i, frieteorological conditions andthef'like; I I

A feature of the inventionrelate s to a board-controlled pristine atom having a large number of composite type faces, together with a special form of selective mechanism for linking the keyboard to the drum vwhereby any desired I in'g composite data such A- further feature relates to a type drunior platen carrying a series of composite type faces on its periphery; together with anovel selector mechanism for positioning; said drum with any tions navigational 'c'dnditlo kind or composite codes data inthe f rm ofan osj l rw other estate and advantages not specifically enumerated will :be anparent' after a consideranon o the following det'ailed descriptions andth'e angiendedclaimsl While the invention will be described particularly in Comedian with aprintr will-el is controlled relfiotelyby" telegraph signals, it will be understood that tn central and printing' meal-1+ anisin can be o'ic'eratd directly either by n anually orierat'ed keys sdch as the" ordinarymanual typewritenor by electro-lnechanically-opertypeface is selected on a digital or percentage.

basis. Asa result of this feature, it is possible to print any one of 1900 composite indicia thy-125*- ing only thirty o 'oeratingI levers orkeys c'orre- Y sponding to the'units; tens and hundreds dig s of a iven code number; These thirty keys are r-coded data such as used 'in:

preferably arranged in threero'wsl'of ten keys 40 each, ccrrespondin to the units,-tens and hundreds digits of the particular numerical code number assigned to the type faces. I

Another feature relates to' a; machine if or nrint- I ing directly any one of a large number, fo ample 1000, of composite characters iund'r cori trol of permuted combinations of electric signals. A further feature relates to a composite type face printingrn'achin'ewherein the individnal'type faces are selected for printing by a percentagecontrolled selector mechanism, which can peonerat ed either by remote control e. g, by coded combinations of telegraphimpulses,or, directly layman's of mec-hanicakor alcove-mechan ca ycontrolled key levers.

' tape and related part or pla'ten';

"logical communications; it- I the mechanism disclosed is capable of a wide ated keys such as, in the ordinary electro-mechanical typewriter. Furthermore; while the invention will be describedin"connectionwith the transmission of v international meteoro- Will be understood that variety c-f'us'es. Accordingly, in the drawings,

. Fig. 1 is va olan'view' of the machine, with the show the relative locatop cover plate -rer'rlovedto I tion of the printing p atenor drum, the recording Fig. 2 is a schemat c end view ofFig. I with certain salts omitted for purposes oi clarity.

I Fig.5; 3is' a perspective .view of the printing drum Figs! 46 and the printing drum. r I

Fig; is'a view of the selectinginechamsm for controlling the longitudinal'setting of the prim ms area 1 Figl 7 circuit diagram m osit'e structural and schematic p v. l .t f the ele'etri'cal controls for op- 5- are detailed views or the selector m" for controlling the rotary motion oi erating the selector mechanism of the printer by coded combinations of electrical impulses.

Fig. 8 is a chart showing the coded combinations of impulses used to control the mechanism of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a developed lay-out view showing the arrangement and grouping of the various type faces on the drum of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 represents one form of semi automatic index that may be used in practicing the invention.

Fig. 11 is a chart of the various symbols incorporated in the type faces on the printing drum.

Fig. 12 is a typical page of the index of Fig. 11, showing the code numbers for punctuation marks and letters of the alphabet.

Fig. 13 is another typical page of the index showing the code numbers for certain Weather conditions.

Fig. 14 represents a typical Weather report.

Fig. 15 shows the code numbers transmitted for the message of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 shows the symbols as actually printed by the mechanism of Figs. 1 to 9 under control of the code numbers of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a schematic block diagram of a telegraph system embodying the invention.

Fig. 18 is a typical composite five-unit type face according to the invention.

It is common practice in marking maps, to designate weather or meteorological conditions by special'indicia or code markings. Also for purposes of navigation control, the information is usually included in the following five main groups:

(1) Weather; (2) cloud condition; (3) Wind direction; (4) wind velocity; visibility. Thus, by various combinations of these five main characteristics, most of the information necessary for aerial or other kinds of navigation are discernible. Heretofore, two general methods of transmitting this type of information have been employed, namely by telefacsimile transmission or by transmitting the description of the conditions by ordinary telegraph methods, wherein each letter of the written description is transmitted as a code combination of telegraph impulses. The telefacsimile method while satisfactory, is limited as to the detail which can be transmitted by commercial telefacsimile systems and also by the reliareceiving station, these coded impulses representing the code numbers, instead of being recorded as numbers or as letters as is done in the usual printing telegraph system, cause the reproduction directly of a single composite indicia which may represent a relatively long descriptive message. By this novel method, there is eifected not only a great reduction in transmission time for a given amount of intelligence to be'reproduced, but the actual reproduction is efiected directly in a single composite character thus reducing the chances or error.

In accordance with one phase'of the invention, the original weather or meteorological data are translated into coded numbers. These numbers are used to operate any well-known telegraph tape perforator which in turn is used to operate a corresponding tape-controlled telegraph transmitter. By employing code numbers of three digits, it is possible to transmit approximately 1000 different composite symbols. At the receiving station, the telegraph impulses representing these three digits are applied through a conventional telegraph distributing mechanism to control a printing machine of novel construction. This machine comprises, in general, a cylindrical printing drum or platen on which the 1000 symbols are arranged in coordinate rows peripherally and longitudinally of the drum. A specially designed percentage selector mechanism is controlled by'the received electric impulses so as to position the drum with the proper selected composite symbol or type face adjacent a printing hammer or the like.

For example, the numbers 000 to 006 may be assigned to the seven punctuation marks; the numbers 007 to 032 may be assigned to the 26 letters of the alphabet; the numbers 033 to 042 may be assigned to the numerical digits 0 to 9; the numbers 043 to 799 may be assigned to 757 different composite type faces or symbols representing 757 difierent combinations of the abovementioned five weather conditions. The remaining code numbers 800 to 999 may be assigned to represent individual indicia or symbols each representing a different individual weather condition as represented in Fig. 22.

For ease in remembering and locating the various symbols, the following is a typical arrangement under the five main headings.

Weather Wind Clouds direction Wind velocity Visibility Sunshine Line squall. Thunderstorms" 1. N0 cl0uds 2. %th cloudy 3. covered 4 %covered 6. All covered 6. Obscured 1. Normal. 2. Poor.

It will be found convenient to assign the code numbers, for example 043 to 799 to the various combinations of weather conditions in accordance with the following typical arrangement.

Weather condition:

I Sunshine 043- Haze 171-298 Fog 299-362 Drizzle 353-394 Weather conditionqcontinued-z Hail Hurricane 719 758 Tornado 759 -790 I Warning symbols;shamanism; 791 799 In" the event that itis'dsired to reproduce individual symbols for wearer inland weather report communications", they may be assigned in accordance with the following chart; I

Referring to Fig. r1, there is shown in block diagrammatic ,form', a typical communication.

system for practicing the invention. At the transmitting point the weather reports aretr ar'i'slat'ed into their respective code numbers. For purposes of explanation, assume that the report to be sentis as follows:

weather -cloudy three-quarters covered;

wind north-wind velocity32 to 38 M. P. visibility poor.

The composite character representinjg'this com pleteinformation is illustrated in'Fi'g; 18as will be clear from the tah-legiven in Fig. 11. The code number assigned to this particular composite character may for examplebe 206. These code digits are set up on the'keyboard of any well -known type of telegraph keyboard-controlled perforator I, which is arranged to" perforat'e' the tape 2' with transverse rows of perforations in accordance with the permutation code showni in v Fig. 8. Since each composite" characteris' ti be' spaced" from the succeeding character on .1 the printed tape at the receiver, each set of three digits is followed'by the letter in? which controls the single space'function betWeenfsucces sive printed characters as indicated'bythe code in Fig. 8.

by'the R signal, while if a mmtespace is to be produced at the receiver between successive'com posite characters, the three code digits are fol.- lowed by theFM signal. fed without any printing whatever, the S;sig-' nal is transmitted.

If no space is to be hadbetweenj successive printed composite characters-on the receiving tape, the three code digits ar'e'followed" Ifthe tape is to be Accordingly, under the above assumption; the;

code to be transmitted'is 206N; Thus'g for the; numeral 2, the tape will be .perforated'injposi-i' tions 2 and 3; For the numeral 0, the tape is perforated in positions 2 and 4; For the numeral 6, it is perforated in the position 4,'while. for

the letter N it is perforated in positions 1' and 4; It will lbe uri'derstood that the tape is auto-:

gear sets H; Hafii'b. .receifv'ed signals therefore, the drum 1 is in con- "tinuous.rotationand in its lowermost position as shown in Fig. To control the vertical slid- 6%. maticallyprovided with regular feed holes along its edge's'o as to control its automatic feeding through the tape perforator andthe tape transmitter. For a detailed description of one kind of't'ape perforator that may be used, reference is hereby made to U. S. Patent No. 2,308,543, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein: by reference. a

The perforated tape is fed through any wellknown type of tape-controlled telegraph transmitter 3, whereby each transverseset of code perforationsis converted into a corresponding code combination of electric impulses. For a detailed description of a typical tape-controlled transmitter, referenceis made to U. S. Patent No. 2,213,476, the'disclo'sure of which is express- 1y incorporated herein by'reference. These successive code combinations of electrical impulses are then applied to modulate or key any wellknown radio transmitter 4, preferably of the continuous wave type.

' At the receiving station which may be aboard an aircraft, vessel oratany other point at which the weather signals are to be recorded, the coded combinations of electric impulses are detected andamplifie'd in the conventional-radio receiver 5 to produce direct current'impulses corresponding .to those originallyjdelivered by device ,3 atthe transmitter. These impulses are then applied to a commutator 'or' distributing i switch" to control the printing machine 6 according to the invention, the printing" of each complete compositecharacter being effected in a single printing operation. In accordance with one feature of the invention,- these composite characters may be referred to generically as ideographs and are preferably all of thesame size and arrangement.

hinations of impulses results-in the automatic and direct printingin a single printing operation of the desired one of a great number of composite symbols. -It will be understood of course, that each of the- 757 composite symbols is represented by a corresponding type face on the printing drum or pl'ateri 'of machine 6; and the desired type face is automatically presented to the printing point under control of the received code combinations of impulses-representing the three digit code numbers" assigned to each composite signal as above enumerated.

Referringto the drawings, the printing machine "according to the invention and represented by the block 6 in'Fig. 17,- comprises' a cylindrical platen or drum? (Figs. 1 to 9). Drum T is slidably k'eyed to asquare or rectangular shaft 8 mounted vertically in suitable bearings, and driven by a continuously running motor 9 through the intermediary of a slip-friction clutch iii and ing movement of the drum on shaft 8, tliedrum is'supported between horizontal arms I2, rigidly fastened'to .ver tically reciprocable lead screw shaft I4. It Will be understood that the members I2,

In the absence of any l3, allow the shaft 8 topass freely therethrough so as not to interfere with its rotation. The drum 5 is normally held in its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 2 by retractile spring 15.

For selectively raising and lowering the drum '5, the lower end of shaft It has a lead screw it which is engaged by the thrust follower ll, attached to shaft 58. Shaft i8 is mounted for rotation, but is not capable of longitudinal motion, so that when it is positively rotated by motor 9, it causes the shaft i l to be raised. Shaft I8 is driven from motor it through gear sets lib, slip-friction clutch 20, gear set 2 i, shiftable clutch 22, and gear sets 23, 24 and 25. Normally, the members of clutch 22 are mechanically disengaged so that under the force of spring IS, the drum is free to drop to its lowermost position. The drum 1 is arranged to-be rotated in successive stages, the first stage being a group selection, and the second stage being a unit selec tion. For this purpose, there are two sets of shiftable stops 2'! and 28, there being ten stops in each set. The stops 2! are mounted for radial movement in a fixed ring 29, and are held in their retracted position by individual springs 36 as shown in Fig. 4. Fastened to shaft 8 and in the same horizontal plane as ring 29, is a wheel 3! (Fig. 4) which carries on its outer periphery, a series of ten teeth 32 to M. These teeth are so related to the stops 2'! that the wheel 3! can be selectively stopped in any one of ten positions corresponding to the digits -9. Likewise, the ten shiftable stops 28 are mounted for radial sliding movement a fixed ring 43 (Fig, 5), and fastened-to shaft 8 in the same plane as ring E3 is a wheel 44 having a single tooth 45. Thus, by selectively operating one of the stops 28, wheel 44 can be stopped in any one of its ten unit positions. Preferably, the stops 23 are responsive to the first or hundreds digit of the code number so that they may be referred to as group selectingstops. The stops 2? may be referred to as unit stops and respond to the second or tens digit of the number. Thus, by successive setting of the stops 28 and 21, the drum can be stopped in any one of a hundred different circumferential positions.

Likewise, in order to control the selective stopping of the drum in its vertical movement along shaft 8, a third series of stops 50 (Figs. 2 and 6), are radially mounted in a fixed ring 5| which cooperates with a wheel 52 fastened to shaft 53. Wheel 52 has ten peripheral teeth 54 so related to stops 59 that by means of members [6 and H, the shaft I l and drum 8 can be selectively stopped in any one of ten vertical positions.

As shown in Fig. 3, and in developed form in Fig. 9, the printing drum carries on its peripheral face a series of composite type faces (see Fig. 18) arranged in a series of ten parallel circumferential rows with 100 type faces in each circumferential row. Pivotally mounted adjacent the drum is a printing hammer 80 (Figs. 1 and 2), whose operation is controlled by mechanism 6| responsive to the impulse control device 62, which is shown in detail in Fig. 7.

Mounted for step-by-step feed movement between the printing hammer and the printed drum is an inked ribbon 53 (Fig. 1) which is carried on the usual ribbon spools B t. The paper on which the record is printed is in the form of a tape 65 provided on the payoff reel 55 and received on the reel 5?. The recording tape passes over suitable guides 68, 69, and between the ribbon 63 and the printing hammer. It will be understood that the mechanismv 6i which controls the printing hammeriifl to effect printing is connected. through suitable ratchet mechanism (not shown) with the usual paper feed mechanism so that on the return stroke of the hammer the paper is automatically fed the distance of one character space as is conventional in manual typewriters.

Suitably mounted on the base of the machine is an impulse. receiving and distributing mechanism comprising two commutators or telegraph distributors El and 151-4, such as are well known in the start-stop telegraph printing machine art. Each distributor has six separate conducting segments, four of which are used as selecting impulse-distributing segments, the fifth being a stop control segment, and the sixth being a start drum segment; Each distributor also has an inner continuous contact ring and a rotatable brush which'bridges the ring With the respective segments as the brush rotates. The shaft which carries the distributor brush iii is connected through a step-by-step 0r Geneva gear train Hid, 'ifib (Figs. 2 and '7) to the shaft which carries brush H, so that for each complete revolution of brush it, the brush H is advanced to a succeeding segment of distributor E-4.

The energization of the successive four code segments of distributor E-i is controlled by the line relay [2 (Fig. 2), whose contacts when operated apply D. 0. potential to ring 73 of distributor E-I. In accordance with well-known startstop telegraph practice, each set of code impulses, in this case 4, is preceded by a start impulse which causes the brush shaft to be clutched through a slip-friction clutch (not shown) to the motor 9 or to a special driving motor (not shown) for the distributor mechanism. At the end of each numerical impulse combination, a stop impulse is received to declutch the distributor brush from its driving shaft.

Associated with distributors E| and E4, is a permutation selection control mechanism comprising four sets of permutation bars c-i, 0-2, 0-45, 0-4 (Fig. 7), each set consisting of four bars. Each bar is provided with an individual control electromagnet M|M4 whose operating circuit is completed partially by the segments of distributor El and partially by the segments of distributor E4. The magnets of each set have a common return conductor RCiRC4 which is connected to the respective one of the segments of distributor E4. The permutation bars are connected to the armatures of their respective electromagnets so that when a magnet is energized the corresponding bar is rotated around its longitudinal axis through an angle of The bars have notches on diametrically opposite sides of their periphery, which notches are arranged in permutated combinations so that by operating the bars in any particular combination under control of the associated electromagnets, only one of the overlying ten operating bars OH--OU is allowed to move by entering the aligned notches in the associated four permutation bars. It Will'be understood that when the selection has been complete, the bars are automatically returned through an angle of 180 to their normal positions under control of associated springs.

The ten operating bars OH associated with the permutation bars c-i respond to the hundreds digit of the code number; the ten operating bars OT associated with the permutation bars c-2,

respond to the "tens digit; the ten operating bars U associated with ,the four permutation ters; single space between printed characters;

no space between printed characters; andfcontinuous steps corresponding to the successive operation of a spacingbar on a typewriter.

Each of the hundreds operating bars OI-I'is connected to its individual arm to (Fig; 2) so that when one ofthe associated operating bars is selected it pulls member Bildown. TheEupper end of member 89 is connected to an armsal which latches at its left-hand end against-the lower end of lever 82. Member St is pivoted adjacent its left-hand end so that when member 80 is moved downwardly, it causes the lever-82 to be rotated around its pivot 33 in a counter-clockwise direction against the tension of :springfid.

The latched end of member 8| isnormally held in engagement with lever 82 by a suitable spring 85.

Therefore, the first set: of numerical code impulses representing the hundreds digit results in the selective operation of one of the hundreds bars and the setting of one of the tenstops 21, thus stopping the drum- 8 in its first rotary selective position. .The brushH is then advanced to the next segment to prepare the circuit'forthe appropriate magnets associated with the permutation bars c-2. Upon receipt of the codedimpulses corresponding to the tens digit, one of the tens operating bars OT is operated. Each of these tens bars is connected to a corresponding individual bar 86 and thence through a pivoted latch member 81 to the lever 88 pivoted at 89. The levers 88 control therespective-stops 28. It will be noted that as soon as a member lit-is operated downwardly, its pin Sliiengages a pivoted lever 9! whose right-hand endis located beneath the member 80. The lever 9! may be in the form of a plate or ball which iscommon to all the members 85 and also common to the lower end of all the members 89. In other words, as soon as the selection for the tens digit begins to take place, the previously selected member 80 is pushed upwardly to release thelatched end of member 81 from lever '82, thus allowing the previously selected stop to return to normal position and thereby allowing the drum to continue *its rotary motion until stopped by the units stop 28. 1 The drum remains in this :rotaryposition until the selection and printing of the character is completed. I a v Upon receipt of the impulses corresponding to the units digit of the code number, the brush H is advanced to #3 segment, thus causing the impulses to be distributed by brush Hi to the magnets associatedwithbars c3,-and causing the selective operation of one ofthe units operating bars 0U. Each of these bars (Fig. 2) is connected to its individual arm ltd-which is linked to its individual arm l-lll, causing-the latter to be rotated clockwise around its pivot m2. Each member it! is latched to a corresponding lever H33, pivoted at 1-04, and adapted to operate the corresponding stop 56. Common to all the ten members I93, is a shiftablebail 26 so that when an stop 58 is operated it immediately vertical movement of the drum. If desired, any well-known retaining and centering pawl arrangement may be provided for shaft It to keep it centered in its selected vertical position. When the mechanism is to be cleared for the next suc-.

ceeding selective operation, this pawl may be released by. any suitable mechanism (not shown) to allow the drum to restore to normal. The desired type face on the drum is now positioned in registry withthe printing hammer to.

Upon receipt of the N impulses, the distributors E-i and E4 distribute the impulses to the appropriate magnets associateol'with bars ci to operate the N bar (Fig. '7). This bar is connected through suitable. links so that it causes the printing hammer fill to press the recording tape andinked ribbon against the particular type face which has been presented to the printing point. Itwill be understood that the members or and NH when selectively operated as abovedescribed, .are locked in their operated position by a common locking bail (not shown), so that/upon the return movement of the printing hammer 69, this bail isoperated by suitable links (not shown), toallow the selected stops to return to normal. Likewise, the return of the printing hammer can operate a common clearing mechanismfor all the previously operated parts. If desired, the permutation magnets (Fig. '7), can be provided with a common holding circuit so that when energized they remain energized until the completion of the printing. This holding circuit can be controlled by the printing hammer so that when the printing is completed, this common holding circuit is broken and the mechanism is cleared to normal in readiness for the next operation. If desired, instead of locking the magnets, the various operating bars (Fig.7), can be held in locked position until the printing hammer Eb has-completed its. printing movement, whereupon the locking members for the said bars can be released. When the previously selected members I33 have been restored to normal, the clutch 22 is disengaged and the retaining and centering pawl for the shaft I4 is likewise disengaged thus allowing the drum to return downwardly to normal.

.Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the recording tape after it passes the printing point, passes a reflecting mirror [29 adjacent to which is a lens arrangement l2! for projecting image of t p i Character on the ground glass screen I22 in the front wall I23 of the machine casing.

Whil in the foregoing, th printer machine is controlled by permuted electric impulses, it will operates clutch 22 causing shaft M-to rotate-and :at the appropriate'point thereby stopping further be understood that the machine canbe' operated directly by manual keys. Thus, each of thezten members: 8 I, can be linked to corresponding keys l I!) onthe keyboard (Fig. 2) the ten'membersg'l maylikewise b tlinked to ten. keys H I; 'theate'n members Hi! may be linked to keys IE2; andithe -bars;M,.N,jR,IS,, (Fig. 2) may likewise be linked to correspondingikeys. This linkage mechanism and key arrangement can be the same as is used in ordinary manual keyboard typewriters, and if desired the keys may be providedwith a looking mechanism so that each key remains in its operated position until released by the operation ofa subsequent-key. Merely for simplicity in the drawings, only one of each of these keys is shown, but it will be clear that they can be arranged in three numbered rows of tenkeys each, and a fourth row will include the keys" M, N, R, SI It will also be understood that the keys H3 ill, l l12-, M, N R, S, instead of being operated directly 'by hand, can each have an individual operating ll electromagnet which can be energized by signalling current received from a distance.

In order to facilitate the ascertainment of the code number assigned to the various type faces, an automatic index such as shown in Fig. 10, may be employed. This index may beof the construction disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,141,761 having a movable pointer l I for selecting the particular pages or groups of pages desired; and a spring retained cover H6 which can be released by a button ill. As shown in Fig. 10, the front cover of the automatic index will have a table of contents numbered in accordance with the various general classifications, so that by moving pointer H5 to the appropriate point and pressing the button I H, the desired page showing the composite type faces and their corresponding code numbers can quickly be found.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 'Features disclosed herein but not claimed, are claimed in co-pending applications Serial No. 542,492, filed June 28, 1944;, and Serial No. 513,826, filed December 11, 1943.

What I claim is:

with the type faces arranged in coordinate rows each type face comprising a plurality of separate intelligence bearing elements, two sets of shiftable stops, the product of the number of stops in the two sets equaling the number of type faces in each coordinate row, another set of shiftable stops, permutation controls for each set of stops, and means for setting said permutation controls in accordance with preassigned digital code numbers for the respective type faces.

5. In a machine of the character described, a drum having a series of type face-s each having a preassigned identifying code number, a printing hammer for cooperation with said type faces, means to rotate said drum, means to produce relative linear movement between said drum and hammer, a plurality of cam wheels rotatable with the drum, one cam wheel being a group stopping control and the other being a unit stopping control, a series of shiftable stops mounted for movement toward and away from the first cam wheel, a second series of shiftable stops mounted for movement toward and away from the second cam wheel, permutation controls for selectively moving the first set of stops, and other permutation controls for selectively moving the second series of stops.

1. In a machine of the character described, a 4

type face drum having a large number of type faces on the periphery thereof each type face comprising a plurality of separate intelligence bearing elements, said drum being mounted for rotary and axial movement; first, second and third digit selector means each including permutation-control mechanism; and means responsive to the settings of said permutation control mechanisms to position the drum with a selected type face in registry with a printing point.

2. In a machine of the character described, a drum carrying a series of type faces each having an identifying code number each type face comprising a plurality of separate intelligence bearing elements; first, second and third digit selector means including permutation control mechanisms adapted to be set in permuted combinations in accordance with the identifying code numbers; means to support said drum for rotary and axial movements, means responsive to the combined settings of the first and second digit selector means to control the rotary setting of said drum, and means responsive to the setting of the third digit selector means to control the axial setting of the drum.

3. In a machine of the character described, a type face carrier mounted for coordinate movements each type face comprisinga plurality of separate intelligence bearing elements, a first digit selector means including a series of shiftable stops, a second digit selector means including a series of shiftable stops, the product of the number of stops in the two series equaling the number of positions at which the drum is to be stopped in one of its coordinate movements, means responsive to the setting of said stops for controlling said coordinate movement, other digit selecting means including another set of shiftable stops, means responsive to the setting of said other selecting means for controlling the other coordinate movement of the drum,- and permutation control means arranged to be set in permuted combinations under control of code combinations of impulses for controlling said digit-selecting means.

4. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable and axially movable type face d um 6. In a machine of the character described, a drum having a series of type faces each represented by a preassigned multiple-digit code number, a printing hammer mounted for cooperation with said type faces, means to rotate said drum, means to produce relative linear movement be tween said drum and hammer, a plurality of cam wheels rotatable with the drum, a first series of shiftable stops cooperating with said cam wheels, means to set a selected one of said stops under control of one digit of the code number of a desired type face, a second series of shiftable stops cooperating with the said cam wheels, means to set said second series of stops under control of another digit of said code number, and means responsive to the combined settingof a stop in each of said series for stopping the drum with a selected type face in line with the printing hammer.

7. In a machine of the character described, a drum having a series of type faces each represented by a corresponding plural-digit code number, a movable printing hammer for pressing a recording web against the selected type face, means to rotate the drum, a pair of cams fastened to the drum shaft, a plurality of selectably shiftable stops for cooperation with one of said cams, another plurality of shiftable stops for cooperation with the other cam, permutation control members arranged to be set in accordance with one digit of the code number assigned to each type face, other permutation control members arranged to be set in accordance with another digit of said code number, means responsive to the setting of the first permutation members for moving a selected stop in the first set into engagement with the associated cam, and means responsive to the setting of the second permutation members for moving a selected stop in the second set into contact with the associated cam.

8. A machine according to claim 7 in which the drum is normally rotating and said stop members are arranged to stop the drum in successive group and unit positions, and means are provided for automatically releasing the selective stop member of the first set in response to the selection of a stopmember of the second set.

9. A machine according to claim 7 in which means are provided for moving the drum axially, and a third cam is provided together with a cor responding third series of shiftable stops, and means for selectively setting one of said stops in the third series in accordance with a third digit of said code number to control the selective stopping of the drum in its aXial movement.

10. In a machine of the character described a printing drum, first driving means for rotating the drum, second driving means for moving the drum axially, a source of motive power for both of said means, a slip-friction clutch between said source and the first-mentioned means, a slip friction clutch between said source and the secend-mentioned means, a shiftable clutch between said source and said second-mentioned means, permutation controlled stops adapted to be set in accordance with two digits of a code number representing a type face on the drum for selectively stopping the first-mentioned means, and other stopping means adapted to be set in ac cordance with a third digit of said code number for selectively stopping the second-mentioned means, and means responsive to the setting of said other stopping means for operating said clutch to couple the second driving means to said drum.

11. In a machine of the character described a printing drum, a plurality of numerical keys arranged in groups and adapted to be operated in accordance with pro-assigned plura1-digit code numbers for each typeface on the drum, each type face comprising a plurality of separate intelligence bearing elements, means to rotate the drum to bring a desired row of type faces to a printing position, group and unit selective stopping members for stopping the drum in a desired position, means connecting each of the keys in one group with one set of stopping'means to operate a group stop-ping member, means connecting each of the keys in another group with another set of stopping means to operate a units stopping member, the number of selected positions in which said drum can be stopped being the product of the number of keys in said groups, and. permutation control means arranged to be set in permuted combinations in accordance with said code numbers for selectively controlling said stop members.

12. In a printing machine of the kind which is controlled by coded combinations of electrical impulses, a type face drum having a series of type faces each represented by a corresponding pluraldigit code number each type face comprising a plurality .of separate intelligence bearing elements, means to subject said drum to continuous rotation, sets of selective stopping means for said drum one set acting to stop the drum in a group position, another set acting to stop the drum in a units position, impulse distributing means com prising a group impulse distributor and a units impulse distributor operated in. fixed time relation, permutation control mechanism set under control of said distributors, and means between said permutation mechanisms and said sets of stops for selectively operating the latter.

, stop the drum in a 13. In a printing machine of the type which is controlled by coded combinations of electric impulses, a printing drum and a printing hammer, means to position said drum with a desired type face in registry with said hammer, each type face comprising a plurality of separate intelligence bearing elements, the last-mentioned means including a pair of commutators one of which is rotated at a multiple speed with respect to the other, a plurality of sets of permutation members, electric control circuits for controlling said memhere, said circuits being completed in part by the first commutator and in part by the second commutator, the second commutator serving to transfer the control circuit from one to the other of said sets of permutation members in cyclical succession, a plurality of selectively shiftable stops for controlling the stopping of said drum, and means for operating said stops in accordance with the setting of said permutation members.

14. A machine according to claim 13 in which means are provided for maintaining the drum in rotation when none of said stops is selectively set.

15. In a machine of the character described, a printing drum mounted for rotation and for an ial movement, a plurality of cam wheels affixed to'the drum shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary ring surrounding each cam wheel, a plurality of radially shiftable stop members mounted in each ring, control means for moving a selected one of the stops in the first ring into stopping relation with the associated cam wheel to group position, other control means for moving a selected stop in the second ring into stopping relation with the associated cam wheel to stop the drum in a units position, a third cam wheel driven from the drum shaft, 2. third stationary ring surrounding said third wheel and having a series of radially shiftable stops, means to move the drum axially, and control means for moving a selected stop in said third set into stopping relation with said third cam wheel whereby the axial movement of said drum is stopped to present a selected type face to a printing point, said drum being held in its previously stopped unit position while it is being moved axially.

16. A machine according to claim 15 in which the selected stop in the first set is automatically released in response to a setting of a stop in the second set.

17. A machine according to claim 15 in which each of said sets of stops is provided with permutation members and coded electric impulse distributors for setting said permutation members and thereby selecting a desired stop in each of said sets.

18. A machine according to claim 15 in which each of said sets of stops has an associated group of permutation control members which are connected successively in circuit under control of group and units impulse distributors.

CHUNG-CHIN KAO. 

